Fixture for window hangings



,1967 M. M. KINTNER 3,338,291

FIXTURE FOR WINDOW HANGINGS Filed Nov. 23, 1964 INVENTOR MILDRED M. KINTNER BY 2/. x. 7 4% ATTORNEY a Sheets-Sheet 1 Aug. 29, 1967 M. M. KINTNER FIXTURE FOR WINDOW HANGINGS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 23, 1964 FIG. Q

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1967 M. M. KINTNER 3,338,291

FIXTURE FOR WINDOW HANGINGS Filed Nov. 23, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet I5 INVENTOR. MILDRED M. KINTNER ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,338,291 FIXTURE FOR WINDOW HANGINGS Mildred M. Kintner, 3624 Vistula Road, Mishawaka, Ind. 46544 Filed Nov. 23, 1964, Ser. No. 413,073 7 Claims. or. 160348) The present invention relates to fixtures for window hangings and more particularly to fixtures for supporting and forming and retaining pleats in curtains and draperies.

The conventional method and means for supporting and retaining pleats in curtains and draperies consists of first pleating these hangings, either by sewing the pleats in the material or by using a band or strip of material in which the curtain or drapery material is sewn as the pleats are formed. After the pleats are formed and firmly sewn, the curtain or drapery is hung by using hooks or similar fixtures suspended from a traverse rod or track and having tines or prongs which are inserted in the pleats and/or into the material at the pleats. The operation of inserting the tines or prongs into the pleats or material is not only tedious and difiicult, but often results in poorly hung curtains and draperies which tend to droop or sag at the top, and the tines or prongs may tear the fabric or otherwise cause damage to the curtains and draperies.

Further, since the pleats are permanently sewn into the curtain and drapery material, they interefere with proper cleaning or laundering, and each time the curtains or draperies are cleaned, the prongs must be disengaged and re-inserted in the pleats, frequently resulting in further damage to the material. Attempts have been made in the past to eliminate these difiiculties, such as using metal brackets and fixtures which may be removed when the curtains and draperies are cleaned. But these likewise have been tedious and difiicult to attach, and have often resulted in poorly formed pleats and improperly hung curtains and draperies. It is therefore one of the principal objects of the present invention to provide a fixture which effectively supports the curtain or drapery so that it hangs uniformly and evenly throughout, and which can easily and readily be removed from and replaced on the curtain or drapery whenever the curtains or' draperies are cleaned or laundered.

Another object of the invention is to provide a curtain and drapery fixture which effectively forms and maintains uniform pleats, and which, while having a part permanently attached to the curtain or drapery material, permits the draperies to lie flat when off the rod and which does not interfere with cleaning or laundering.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a fixture of the type which positively holds the material in pleated condition and the pleated hem in the upright position, and Which has a part permanently attached to the curtain or drapery material which will effectively form uniform and attractive pleats and intervening unpleated sections in the upper hem or margin.

A further object is to provide a fixture having the foregoing advantages which is relatively simple in construction and operation, and which can readily be attached to and removed from the traverse rod or track.

Additional objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is an elevational view of the present curtain and drapery fixture, showing drapery with the fixture mounted thereon; I

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the fixture shown in FIGURE 1 with a portion thereof in open position for receiving the part attached to the draperies;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary elevational view of unpleated drapery showing parts of the present fixture attached in place for forming pleats;

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FIGURE 4 is a vertical cross sectional view of the fixture shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, the section being taken on line 44 of the latter figure;

FIGURES is an enlarged elevational view of the fixture shown in FIGURE 1, showing the fixture removed from the draperies;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged side elevational view of the fixture shown in the preceding figures, showing it removed from the draperies;

FIGURE 7 is an elevational view of the fixture showing the side thereof opposite that shown in FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 8 is a top plan view of the fixture shown in FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 9 is a side elevational view of the bracket and a portion of the fixture shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 10 is an elevational view of a modified form showing it supporting draperies on a rod;

FIGURE 11 is a partial side elevational and vertical cross sectional view of the fixture shown in FIGURE 10; FIGURE 12 is an elevational view of the fixture shown in FIGURES l0 and 11, showing the fixture removed from the draperies;

FIGURE 13 is a fragmentary elevational view of drapery, showing part of the fixture attached to the drapery before the latter has been pleated and hung;

FIGURE 14 is an elevational view of a modified form of the embodiment shown in FIGURE 10; and

FIGURE 15 is a side elevational view of the fixture shown in FIGURE 14.

Referring more specifically to the drawings and to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGURES 1 through 9 in particular, numeral 10 designates the present fixture, 12 a bracket for supporting the fixture, and 14 a fragmentary view of draperies supported by fixture 10 and bracket 12.

Fixture 10 consists of two vertically positioned arms and 22, arm 22 being connected to a base 24 rigidly secured to the bottom of arm 20. A hinge-like structure forms the pivot for arm 22 on base 24 and consists of two outwardly extending pins 28 and 30 on the lower end of arm 22 projecting through holes in upturned cars 32 and 34, respectively. In order to retain arm 22 in either the closed or open position, a retaining means of any suitable structure may be used, the one shown in the drawings consisting of a tongue 36 formed integrally with the lower end of arm 22 and extending downwardly over a projection 38 on the edge of base 24. It is seen that the arm will move from a closed vertical position substantially parallel with arm 20 to a fully opened substantially horizontal position.

Each arm consists of an elongated, flat metal or plastic portion, having securing means 40 and 42, respectively, attached to the inner surfaces thereof. The securing means 40 and 42 consist of numerous hook-like portions, preferably formed of plastic, secured to backing members 40' and 42', respectively, which are attached to the respective arms 20 and 22 by adhesive, cement or any other suitable securing means, the securing means extending substantially the full length and width of each arm. These hook securing means are adapted to engage a felt or other type securing means of loop construction, such as that shown on pads 44, 46, 48 and 50, the pads being sewn or otherwise firmly secured to the upper hem or marginal portion of draperies 14. When the fixture is attached to these pads, pads 44 and 46 with the looped portion 52 thereon are pressed into engagement with the hook portion of securing means 40 with pad 46 directly above pad 44, as illustrated in FIGURE 1, and pads 48 and 50 with looped portion 52 are pressed into firm contact with securing means 42, with pad 48 positioned above pad 50. The type of material used for pads 44, 46, 48 and 50, for example, and securing means 40 and 42, is sold under the name Vel-Snap. When the pads are pressed firmly into engagement with the respective securing means 40 and 42, and arm 22 is moved to closed position as illustrated in FIG- URES l and 6, pleats are automatically and properly formed in the upper hem or margin of the draperies, as illustrated in FIGURE 1.

The fixture is mounted on a traverse rod by the bracket 12 and by two projections 70 and 72 on the upper end of arms 20 and 22, the two projections having shoulders 70' and 72 at their respective inner edges. These projections are inserted in holes 74 and 76 of bracket 12 and shoulders 70' and 72' slip into slots 78 and 80* at the lower edge of holes 74 and 76. The two projections can readily be mounted in the two slots by merely placing them through the respective holes 74 and 76, thus making the hanging operation relatively easy as compared with the conventional cumbersome hooks previously used.

In order to hold the material physically between the pleats in shape beyond the inner edge of the fixture, two arms 82 and 84 extending inwardly from the fixture are preferably used. When the fixture is closed, as illustrated in FIGURE 1, the two arms press firmly against the sides of the respective pleats, holding them firmly in place. Bracket 12 contains a button-type slide member 90 secured rigidly to the upper end of a body 92, and is adapted to be mounted on a traverse rod or track and slide thereon as the draperies are opened and closed, preferably by suitable draw cords or the like. The projections 70 and 72 can readily be disengaged from bracket 12 when the draperies are to be taken dOWn by merely lifting the projections in the slots to the enlarged portion of the holes at the top and then slipping them therefrom. After the fixture has been removed from bracket 12, it can readily be disconnected from the draperies by opening the fixture, as illustrated in FIGURE 2, and thereafter pulling pads 44, 46, 48 and 50' from securing means 40 and 42. After the fixture has been removed, the drapery will no longer stay pleated, but assumes its flat position so that it can be effectively cleaned or laundered and pressed or ironed.

In the modification illustrated in FIGURES 10, 11, 12 and 13, a hook-like member 100 is secured to a panel 102 having the resilient hook-like members on one side 104 for engaging loop-like members 106 on pads 108 and 110, the pads being sewn or otherwise secured to the upper hem or mar-gin of drapery 112 and having the loop material on the outer side. In assembling the fixture on the drapery, the two ends of panel 102 are secured to pads 108 and 110 by pressing the looped portion 106 of each pad firmly against the hook portion 104 of panel 102. This fixture can then easily be hung by placing the inverted U-shaped portion 114 of :member 100 over a rod 116 or other suitable support means.

The modification shown in FIGURES 14 and 15 is similar to that shown in FIGURES through 13; hence, like numerals will be used for like parts. However, the member 100 is provided with a projection 120 on the upper end thereof which slips through a hole 122 in bracket 124, and a shoulder on the inner edge of projection 120 seats in slot 126. A button-shaped member 128 is secured to the upper end of body portion 130 of bracket 124, and is adapted to slide in a traverse rod or track in the manner previously described with reference to the bracket of the embodiment shown in FIGURE 1.

One of the primary advantages of the fixture illustrated by the three embodiments of the present invention is that the fixtures can be easily and readily attached to the draperies, and once attached, will firmly hold the upper hem or margin of the drapery material in Well formed pleats. A further advantage is that the fixtures can be readily removed and the pleats released so that the draperies can be effectively cleaned or laundered and pressed or ironed without any interference from the fixtures. Further, the fixtures do not penetrate the drapery material, and hence do not tear, perforate or otherwise damage the fabric.

While only three embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail herein, various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. In combination with a drapery or curtain having on its upper margin spaced pads with numerous loops on one side: a fixture comprising two fiat vertical members, a laterally extending means at the bottom of one of said members, a means pivoting the other of said members to said laterally extending means for positioning said members in spaced parallel relation, a detent means including parts contacting the respective vertical members for yieldably holding said pivoted member in various angular positions with respect to the other member, a laterally extending projection at the top of each of said members having a shoulder near its inner edge, a securing element disposed on the inner sides of said members and having numerous hook-like means extending from the surface thereof facing the opposite element engaging said loops and holding said pads, laterally extending fingers on the respective edge of said members engaging the pleats of said drapery or curtain, a bracket having a pair of closely spaced holes with depending slots receiving said projections at said shoulders, and means on said bracket for mounting said bracket on a support.

2. In combination with a drapery or curtain having on its upper margin spaced pads with numerous loops on one side: a fixture comprising two fiat members pivoted to one another at one end, a laterally extending projection at the top of each of said members having a shoulder near its inner edge, a securing element disposed on the inner sides of said members and having numerous hook-like means extending from the surface thereof facing the opposite element engaging said loops and holding said pads, laterally extending fingers on the respective edge of said members for engaging the pleats of said drapery or curtain, a bracket having a pair of closely spaced holes with depending slots receiving said projections at said shoulders, and means on said bracket for mounting said bracket on a support.

3. In combination with a drapery or curtain having on its upper margin spaced pads with numerous loops on one side: a fixture comprising two flat members hinged to one another at one end, a laterally extending projection at the upper end of each member, a securing element disposed on the inner sides of said members and having numerous hook-like means extending from the surface thereof facing the opposite element engaging said loops and holding said pads, a bracket having a pair of closely spaced holes with depending slots receiving said projections, and means on said bracket for mounting said bracket on a support.

4. In combination with a drapery or curtain having on its upper margin spaced pads with numerous loops on one side: a fixture comprising two fiat members hinged to one another at one end, and a securing element disposed on the inner sides of said members and having numerous hook-like means extending from the surface thereof facing the opposite element engaging said loops and holding said pads.

5. A fixture for draperies, curtains and the like having a plurality of spaced pads with numerous loops on an exposed side thereof, comprising two fiat vertical members, a laterally extending means at the bottom of one of said members, a means pivoting the other of said members to said laterally extending means for positioning said members in spaced parallel relation, a detent means including parts contacting the respective vertical members for yieldably holding said pivoted member in various angular positions with respect to the other member, a securing element disposed on the inner sides of said members and having numerous hook-like means extending from the surface thereof facing the opposite element for engaging the loops on said pads, a laterally extending projection at the top of each of said members having a shoulder near its inner edge, laterally extending fingers on the respective edge of said members for engaging the pleats of a drapery or curtain, a bracket having a pair of closely spaced holes with depending slots receiving said projections at said shoulders, and means on said bracket for mounting said bracket on a support.

6. In combination with a drapery or curtain having on its upper margin spaced pads with numerous loops on one side: a fixture comprising two flat members movable angularly with respect to one another, a laterally extending means at one end of one of said members, a means pivoting the other of said members to said laterally extending means positioning said members in spaced parallel relation, and a securing element disposed on the inner sides of said members and having numerous booklike means extending from the surface thereof facing the opposite element engaging said loops.

7. A fixture for draperies, curtains and similar hangings having pleats in the upper margins thereof, comprising two flat members movable angularly with respect to one another for receiving pleats therebetween, a laterally References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,711,304 4/1929 Beste 348 2,638,978 5/1953 Atkins 160--348 2,717,437 9/1955 De Mestral.

2,961,693 11/1960 Prehm 160348 X 3,132,686 5/ 1964 'Ju-dovits 160-348 3,214,788 11/1965 Poultney 160-348 X DAVID J. WILLIAMOWSKY, Primary Examiner. HARRISON R. MOSELEY, Examiner.

P. C. KANNAN, Assistant Examiner. 

3. IN COMBINATION WITH A DRAPERY OR CURTAIN HAVING ON ITS UPPER MARGIN SPACED PADS WITH NUMEROUS LOOPS ON ONE SIDE; A FIXTURE COMPRISING TWO FLAT MEMBERS HINGED TO ONE ANOTHER AT ONE END, A LATERALLY EXTENDING PROJECTION AT THE UPPER END OF EACH MEMBER, A SECURING ELEMENT DISPOSED ON THE INNER SIDES OF SAID MEMBERS AND HAVING NUMEROUS HOOK-LIKE MEANS EXTENDING FROM THE 